Dr. Scott Goldman is a cardiac surgery and general surgery specialist. Areas of expertise for Dr. Goldman include minimally invasive surgery, heart bypass surgery (CABG), and mitral valve repair. He is professionally affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Goldman honors several insurance carriers, including Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO. He has an open panel. After completing medical school at Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Goldman performed his residency at Jefferson University Hospitals. His distinctions include: Philadelphia Super Doctors and TOP DOCTOR - Cardiothoracic Surgery Philadelphia Magazine.

Dr. Francis Sutter practices cardiac surgery and general surgery. He is rated highly by his patients. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Sutter include beating heart (off-pump) coronary bypass surgery. He is professionally affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Sutter honors. He has an open panel. He obtained his medical school training at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and performed his residency at Jefferson University Hospitals. He has received the following distinctions: Philadelphia Super Doctors and TOP DOCTOR - Heart Surgeon U.S. News & World Report Main Line Today "Best Doctors".

Dr. Louis Samuels is a medical specialist in cardiac surgery, general surgery, and thoracic surgery. Dr. Samuels is in-network for Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO, in addition to other insurance carriers. Before completing his residency at Hahnemann University Hospital, Dr. Samuels attended medical school at MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine. He has received distinctions including TOP DOCTOR - Cardiothoracic Surgery Philadelphia Magazine; TOP DOCTOR - Heart Surgeon U.S. News & World Report; and America's Top Doctors Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Dr. Samuels is professionally affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. His practice is open to new patients.

Dr. Konstadinos Plestis works as a heart surgeon, general surgeon, and vascular surgeon in Wynnewood, PA, Paoli, PA, and Bryn Mawr, PA. His areas of expertise include aortic aneurysm, heart valve disease, and coronary artery disease. Dr. Plestis is an in-network provider for Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. He obtained his medical school training at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School and performed his residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Montefiore Medical Center, and a hospital affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. Awards and/or distinctions he has received include Castle Connolly Top Doctor/Top Doctors: New York Metro Area; Consumers Research Council of America - Americas Top Surgeon; and New York Super Doctors. He is professionally affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. New patients are welcome to contact Dr. Plestis's office for an appointment.

Dr. Roberto Rodriguez specializes in cardiac surgery, general surgery, and thoracic surgery and practices in Wynnewood, PA. His areas of clinical interest consist of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), heart bypass surgery (CABG), and aorta surgery. He accepts Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO, in addition to other insurance carriers. Dr. Rodriguez studied medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. His training includes residency programs at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and The University Hospital, Newark. He is professionally affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Rodriguez has an open panel.

Dr. Ned Carp is a medical specialist in general surgery, surgical oncology (cancer surgery), and thoracic surgery. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Carp include breast surgery. He is affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center. Dr. Carp attended medical school at Temple University School of Medicine. For his professional training, Dr. Carp completed a residency program at Abington Memorial Hospital. On average, patients gave Dr. Carp a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. He takes Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. Awards and/or distinctions he has received include TOP DOCTOR - Surgery Philadelphia Magazine; TOP DOCTOR - Surgeon U.S. News & World Report - August Main Line Today Magazine - December; and TOP DOCTOR - Surgeon Main Line Today Magazine. Dr. Carp is open to new patients.

Dr. Joseph Bavaria is a specialist in cardiac surgery. Before performing his residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Bavaria attended Tulane University School of Medicine. His clinical interests include aortic dissection repair, lung transplant, and heart bypass surgery (CABG). He accepts several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, and TRICARE. Awards and/or distinctions Dr. Bavaria has received include Recognized annually in Philadelphia Magazine 's Top Docs issue from 2002 through 2016; Philadelphia Super Doctors; and Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012-4. In addition to English, Dr. Bavaria (or staff) speaks German and French. His professional affiliations include Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. Stacey Su is a specialist in general surgery and thoracic surgery. She works in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel Hill, PA, and Broomall, PA. Dr. Su (or staff) is conversant in Spanish and French. These areas are among her clinical interests: esophageal cancer, barrett's esophagus, and lung cancer. Dr. Su's hospital/clinic affiliations include Fox Chase Cancer Center, Crozer-Keystone Health System, and Jeanes Hospital. She obtained her medical school training at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine and performed her residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Patient reviews placed Dr. Su at an average of 5.0 stars out of 5. United Healthcare Platinum, United Healthcare Navigate, and Coventry are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Su honors. Awards and/or distinctions she has received include Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA); NIH Research Training Grant, Division of NIDDK; and Warren-Whitman-Richardson Research Fellowship, Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Wilson Szeto, who practices in Philadelphia, PA, is a medical specialist in cardiac surgery. Before completing his residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Szeto attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. His areas of expertise include the following: lung transplant, heart transplant, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Patient ratings for Dr. Szeto average 4.0 stars out of 5. He honors Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, TRICARE, and more. Distinctions awarded to Dr. Szeto include: Recognized in Philadelphia Magazine 's annual Top Docs issue, 2012 - 2016 and Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2013-14. He is conversant in Chinese. Dr. Szeto's professional affiliations include Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. James Gaynor's specialties are general surgery, thoracic surgery, and pediatric cardiac surgery. He practices in Philadelphia, PA. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Monmouth Medical Center, and Abington Health. He takes several insurance carriers, including Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO. Dr. Gaynor welcomes new patients. Before performing his residency at Parkland Health & Hospital System and Duke University Hospital, Dr. Gaynor attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine for medical school. He has received the following distinction: Philadelphia Magazine's Top Docs.

Dr. Michael Acker is a specialist in cardiac surgery. He works in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Acker studied medicine at Brown University, Alpert Medical School. For his professional training, Dr. Acker completed a residency program at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His areas of expertise include aortic dissection repair, lung transplant, and heart transplant. On average, patients gave Dr. Acker a rating of 5.0 stars out of 5. He is in-network for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, TRICARE, and more. Distinctions awarded to Dr. Acker include: Recognized annually in Philadelphia Magazine 's Top Docs issue from 2002 through 2016; Philadelphia Super Doctors; and Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012-2014. He is professionally affiliated with Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Dr. John Kucharczuk sees patients in Philadelphia, PA and West Chester, PA. His medical specialty is thoracic surgery. These areas are among his clinical interests: esophageal cancer, cancer surgery, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). His professional affiliations include Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Kucharczuk obtained his medical school training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and performed his residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He accepts several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, and TRICARE. Dr. Kucharczuk has received professional recognition including the following: Philadelphia Super Doctors; Recognized by America's Top Doctors, 2012-14; and Recognized by Best Doctors in America 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014.

Dr. Sunil Singhal is a specialist in thoracic surgery. He works in Philadelphia, PA. Areas of expertise for Dr. Singhal include esophageal cancer, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and cancer surgery. His professional affiliations include Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Philadelphia VA Medical Center. He is an in-network provider for several insurance carriers, including Highmark, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Michael Walker is a medical specialist in surgical oncology (cancer surgery) and thoracic surgery. These areas are among his clinical interests: minimally invasive procedures and esophagectomy. He is professionally affiliated with Bryn Mawr Hospital. Dr. Walker takes Coventry, United Healthcare HSA, and United Healthcare HMO, in addition to other insurance carriers. New patients are welcome to contact Dr. Walker's office for an appointment. He studied medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College. For his residency, Dr. Walker trained at Jefferson University Hospitals. He has received professional recognition including the following: Philadelphia Super Doctors; TOP DOCTOR - Thoracic Surgery U.S. News & World Report; and TOP DOCTOR - Thoracic Surgery Philadelphia Magazine2008.

Dr. Edward Cantu specializes in general surgery and thoracic surgery and practices in Philadelphia, PA. Areas of expertise for Dr. Cantu include lung transplant. He is affiliated with Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. He honors Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, TRICARE, and more. Before completing his residency at Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Cantu attended medical school at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

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What is Cardiothoracic Surgery?

Cardiothoracic surgery is the medical specialty that provides surgical care for the chest. Most often this means heart or lung surgery, but it can also include surgery on the esophagus, breastbone, or chest wall. Some cardiothoracic surgeons may specialize in the surgical treatment of children, or focus on a specific organ or surgical procedure.

Some of the diseases and procedures that a cardiothoracic surgeon might handle include:

Coronary artery disease

Heart valve surgery

Lung cancer

Cancer of the esophagus

GERD, or severe acid reflux

Heart or lung transplants

Cardiothoracic surgeons may use various types of imaging, such as an electrocardiogram or CT scan, to diagnose problems and plan the operation. They may also offer minimally invasive surgery or robotic surgery, if appropriate, to lower the risk of scarring and infection.

Cardiothoracic surgery is an older medical specialty, but it is still one of the most amazing. Often patients who need a cardiothoracic surgeon are extremely sick, suffering from an illness that will kill them without intervention. With surgery, however, they often make a complete recovery.